Women's Lacrosse: Villanova Holds Off UC Davis 13-12

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats (3-0 overall, 0-0 BIG EAST) built a big lead in the first half and then staved off a late rally from the UC Davis Aggies (2-1 overall) to post a 13-12 victory this evening at Villanova Stadium.

Villanova carried the play in the early going, scoring the game's first five goals in 5:14. Sophomore Justine Donodeo continued her hot scoring by netting the first two goals and that was supplemented by goals from seniors Samantha McKillip and Erica Rybinski to make it 4-0 with 25:33 to go in the first half. An unassisted Rachel Lasda goal extended the margin to five.

The Aggies got one back on a score by Hannah Mirza at 21:16. Freshman Maria Bowman answered with a VU goal to make it 6-1 before another UC Davis tally off the stick of Mirza. Junior Carly Miller and Bowman each scored a goal to make it 8-2.

The Wildcats took a 9-4 edge into intermission.

The Aggies stormed back into the contest by scoring the first three goals of the second half in a span of 2:55. The Wildcats responded with three scores of their own, on a pair of Donodeo goals and one from Lasda.

UC Davis scored five of the game's next six goals over the next 17 minutes and drew to within 13-12 with 1:46 left. The Aggies captured the next draw control but freshman goalie Amanda Hirschfeld came up with two giant saves in the home stretch to allow VU to regain possession and run out the clock.

Donodeo led the way with four goals while Bowman added three. Rybinski had a goal and two assists. Maggie Langan, who played the first 54:46 in net and made eight saves, was credited with the victory. <!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE -->